Hinge pin with electrical connector



Jan. 29, 1963 J. A. NODGE ETAL'; 3,076,163

HINGE PIN WITH ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 13, 1959INVENTORS Joseph A.Nodge BY Joseph H. Hopkins Their Affo rney Jan. 29,1963 J. A. NODGE ETAL 3,076,163

HINGE FIN WITH ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Aug. 13, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS Joseph A. Nodge By Joseph H. Hopkins Their Attorney 3,d76,'l63HENGE llllN Wl'Tll 'ELEQTRECAL CQNNECTGR Ioseph A. Nudge and Joseph H.Hopkins, Warren, Ghio, assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit,Mich, a corporation of Delaware .FiledAug. 13, 1959, Ser. No. 833,419 2Claims. (Cl. 3539-4) This invention relates to electrical connectors,and particularly to connector housing means adapted to be used withhinges on motor vehicles as well as on domestic appliances such asrefrigerators, washers, and ranges.

An object or this invention is to provide a new and improved electricalconnector means for use between members adapted to be hinged orpivotable relative to each other.

Another object of this invention is to provide a connector housing meansadapted to be fitted into engagement and to insulate conductors and/orelectrical terminals relative to a hollow pintle of a hinge means.

Another object of this invention is to provide sleeve means having abody portion of insulating material provided with longitudinallyextending chamber portions therein and including an integral pair ofextensions or pin portions projecting parallel to each other and adaptedto fit into a hollow pintle to maintain wire means therebetween inprotected and insulated condition relative to the pintle whilemaintaining spacing of the body portion away from the pintle to one sideof a hinge structure.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improvement inelectrical connector means which includes a body portion of insulatingmaterial adapted to maintain electrical terminal means secured toconductors in predetermined spaced relation relaive to hinge meanshaving a hollow pintle in a. location such as on a vehicle door and/orappliance such as a refrigerator door.

Another ob'ect of this invention is to provide for preassembly of ahinge structure for a cover member having a sleeve provided adjacent toan edge thereof such that a hollow hinge-pin can be provided relativethereto having an inner surface engaged by an insulating means wedgedinto engagement relative to the surface and adapted to assurepredetermined longitudinal spacing of a connector including aninsulating body with plural passages fitted with electrical terminalsattached to conductors that are positioned co-axially relative to theinsulating means whereby positioning of both the conductors andconnector is maintained in predetermined relationship to thehollowhinge-pin.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein preferred embodiments of thepresent invention. areclearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an environmental fragmentary elevational 'view of hinge-pinand connector structure in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIGURE 2 is a partially sectioned elevational view' of a hinge-pin andconnector structure in accordance with the present invention and FIG. 2ashows an isometric view of one of two identical connector bodies used inFIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of amodified connector body and insulatingmeans for use in structure of FIG- URE 1 in accordance with thepresentinvention.

FIG. 4 is an end view taken in a direction looking toward gripping meansof the connector body and insulati ing means of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along line 5-5 inFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along Jnited t'tesFact Patented Jan. 29,

line 6-6 for sectioning which shifts centrally ofit center as shown inFIG. 4.

Quite often electrical devices are mounted relative to a cover member ordoor pivotally carried or supported by hinge structure relative toanother member. For example, on motor vehicles there are electricaldevices such as power actuated window lifts utilizing a small electricmotor supplied with electric energy by means of con- .nectors andconductors. The conductors must be avail able inside the doors in spiteof any hinged relationship the doors or covers have relative to othermembers or cabinet structure. Similarly, for example, a door or cover ofa refrigerator or deepfreeze cabinet can be provided with electricdevices such as illuminators or butter conditioning means requiringsupply of electric energy through conductors that must pass from onemember or portion of a structure or cabinet over to the inside of a dooror cover. in addition to supplying electric energization for a buttercompartment, these conductors can provide for electric service relativeto door seal warmers and the like. Due to appearance requirements, it isnecessary to eliminate presence of a flexible cord attached to an outersurface adjacent to a cover or door. Furthermore, it is necessary thatthe connector device be compact and permit quick assembly anddisassembly of electrical connections for service work and removal ofthe doors when necessary.

FIG. 1 illustrates environment in which hinge-pin connector means, inaccordance with the present invention, are particularly useful. Cover ordoor means generally indicated by numeral ltl are pivotally mountedrelative to a second member or stationary means generally indicate-d bynumeral l2. For purposes of illustration, the second member is shown infragments to include an upper portion 12a, a middle portion 12b, and alower portion 120. These upper, middle and lower portions can form arefrigerator cabinet, for example, relative to which hinge means areattached in a suitable manner. The hinge means includes an L-shapedupper and lower fixed hinge portions 14a and 140 respectively. A centralor intermediate hinge assembly includes a hinge portion 34!) attachedalong one leg to the intermediate portion 12b of the cabinet andproviding a leg projecting intermediate to an upper door lili'U and alower door ML.

The upper door MU has mounted therein an electrical device generallyindicated by numeral 16 relative to which a pair of conductors 16a andlab are provided for supply of electric energy. The electric device 16can include a resistance or heater element energizable to maintainpredetermined temperature of a spread such as butter storable therein.It is to be understood that the electrical device 16 could also be anelectric motor for actuation of power windows on a motor vehicle door.The conductors 16a and 16b each have a covering of insulating materialthereon and are adapted to extend through the doors or cover members aswell as into the cabinet or fixed secondary member including relativelystationary structure such as the lower portion into which ends 16a ofthe conductors protrude. The upper door or cover member ilfiU is movablymounted relative to the upper hinge portion 14a and intermediate hingeportion 14b. Similarly, the lower door or cover member 10L is movablymounted relative to the intermediate hinge portion 14b and lower hingeportion 14c. Adjacent to the hinge portions each of the doors or covermembers is provided with a hollow sleeve S that is welded or otherwisesuitably attached at one end to a periphery of a passage in the door orcover member relative to which a hinge-pin or hollow pintle meansprojects. The upper hinge portion 14a carries a fixed pin 14p that issolid and engageable relative to an inner surface of the hollow sleevecarried therefor on the upper cover member, Hill. The lower hinge memberlic .to the grommet or insulating means G.

at, a r,

and the intermediate hinge member 1415 have hollow hingepin sleeveportions lids carried thereby in axial alignment relative to each otherand relative to the pin portion lap. Thus the upper and lower doormembers can pivot about the same axis defined by the sleeves S, pinportion 14p, and sleeve portions Il -ls. Suitable washers or nylonbearings can be provided between cover members and laterally protrudingprojections of hinge portions Ma, 14b, and Me though these are not shownseparately adjacent to and/ or in addition ot outward flared ends ofeach sleeve S for purposes of clarity as apparent in the partial sectionof FIGURE 2. Connector means generally indicated by numeral 18 are showntitted in predetermined locations relative to hollow sleeve portionsthis in FIG. 1. Further details of connector means such as 38 inaccordance with the present invention are shown in FIGS. 2-6.

In i 16. 2 there is shown a fragmentary and partially cross-sectionedelevational view of one embodiment of hinge-pin connector structureprovided relative to an intermediate hinge portion and includingcomponents in accordance with the present invention. The hollow pintleor sleeve portion 145 provided on a lateral projection or leg of theintermediate hinge portion 14b is visible in PEG. 2 as is the sleeve Scarried by the upper cover member WU as well as by lower cover member ordoor L. Insulated conductors 16a and 1619 are visible in FIG. 2 and haveprovided thereon a grommet G. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, this grommetG in combination with a cylindrical body of insulating material C formsa hingepin connector assembly whereby a pair of male terminals M and apair of female terminals F can be electrically engaged and connectedrelative to each other immediately adjacent to sleeve portion 14s at alocation adjacent to an end of sleeve S remote from the connection ofthe sleeve to a door member or cover. 'Ihe cylindrical body ofinsulating material C includes a neck portion N having an outer diameterequal to or slightly less than an inner diameter of a surface 3141iimmediately adjacent to the free end of the sleeve portion lids. Thegrommet G has a peripheral outer surface or contour with a diameterslightly greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve portion ll lssuch that conductors 16a and 16b, onto which the grommet is molded, canbe pulled through a central passage 1 while the grommet becomes wedgedinto engagement with the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion14s. The grommet G, when pulled to a position inside sleeve portionlids, is sealingly in engagement with the inner surface of the sleeveportion and also maintains I positioning of the conductors 16a and 16bin a location coaxially relative to the sleeve portion 14s and also thecylindrical body C. The grommet G is an insulating means wherebypositioning of both the conductors and connector body C is maintained inpredetermined relationship to the hollow hinge-pin or sleeve portion14s. The insulating means or grommet G is molded relative to theconductors lot; and lab at a location substantially adjacent to the neckportion N that snugly fits the conductors because this neck portion Nhas been formed to be constricted radially inwardly into engagement withthe conductors 16a and lltib so that the body C cannot be pulledlongitudinally along the conductors 16a and 16b relative In forming apreassembly of the hinge structure including intermediate portion 14b,for example, the conductors 16a and 16b are pulled through the passage Buntil an'abutment A at one end of the body C adjacent to the neckportion N strikes against the free end of the sleeve 14s. Thus the neckportion N, in conjunction with the insulating means or grommet 6,provides a double seal of the end of the sleeve portion 14s and theconductors 15a and 16b hold the body C and grommet G in axial spacedrelation to each other such that the body C is firmly mounted intoposition relative to an end of the sleeve 14s. The neck portion N isconcentrica ly located in assembled relation relative to the innerperipheral surface 14a and axial aoveaee alignment of the conductors,grommet, neck portion, and insulating body C is maintained relative tothe hollow pintle or sleeve portion 14s.

It is to be understood that the insulating body C has a pair of parallelchamber portions extending longitudinally therethrough and adapted toreceive the female terminals F in tight engagement therein. The femaleterminals F include a ferrule portion adapted to be crimped or swagedinto electrical engagement with a bare end of wire or strands of wirewithin the insulated conductors 16a and Mb. The female terminals F alsoinclude a socket portion substantially C-shaped in cross section andengageable by projecting prong ends of the male terminal M engageablelongitudinally and axially therewith. The male terminals M also includea ferrule portion crimped or swaged into engagement with wires of theconductors. The male terminals ll fit into chamber portions 3 and Klocated on a side of a central wall W that separates the female terminalchamber portions from the male chamber portions J and K of the connectorbody C. The conductors lea and lab, adjacent to the male terminals M,are provided with a molded on grommet means G-ll similar in size andshape to the insulating means or grommet G but located outside theconductor body C adjacent to one end thereof. The grommet G4 is adaptedto hold the conductors and male terminals M in parallel relation to eachother to facilitate insertion of the prong ends of the male terminalsrelative to the socket portions or the female terminals F. Further thegrommet means G-l provides a convenient handle or gripping means wherebyfingers or a pair of plyers can engage the conductors 16a and 16bsimultaneously to effect longitudinal movement of the male terminals Muntil the gripping means 6-1 in an intermediate portion B butts againstan axially extending lug or longitudinal wall L extending in between themale cavities or chamber portions 3 and K. It is to be understood thatinsulating means or a grommet such as G can be provided inside thesleeve portion lids relative to only the upper cover member itlU orrelative to both the upper and lower doors or cover members ltlU and10L. in the partially sectioned view of PEG. 2, only the insulatingmeans or grommet G for the upper door or cover member lttlU is shown.

In PEG. 3 there is shown a different species of hingepin connector 18for which body portion llhc in accordance with the present invention hasintegral, longitudinally extending gripping means 18g of insulatingmaterial. These gripping means 18g have semi-arcuate outer peripheralsurfaces and are spaced from each other by a longitudinal slot 18s.These gripping means 133 have free ends remote from the body portion lacof insulating material and have integral ends relative to the bodyportion 180 at a location adjacent to an annular abutment 18a adapted toengage a free end of sleeve portion or hollow pintle 14s at a locationimmediately adjacent to the peripheral inner end portion or surface lidn. The relationship of the abutment 13a relative to the hollow pintle orsleeve portion 14s and gripping means 14g can be seen in FIG. 5. it isto be understood that conductors 16a and 16b pass longitudinally andsubstantially axially through the body portion such that the integralgripping means, pair of extensions, or pin portions 18g are on oppositesides relative to the pair of conductors tea and 16b.

The gripping means or integral extension pin portions lliig are wedgedlongitudinally into engagement with an inner surface of the hollowpintle or sleeve portion g such that lateral movement of the bodyportion lhcis substantially prevented from occurring relative to theaxis of the conductors 16a and 16b through the hollow pintle.

' As is shown in FIG. 5, the connector-means includes male terminals 18mhaving a prong portion 13p plu ged into a socket portion of femaleterminals 18f. Both the male and femal terminals are provided withferrule portrons adapted to be swaged and/0r crimped into engage-"semi-arcuate surfaces of the a fragment of one conductor 16a is mentwith wire of conductors a and 16b. Electrical engagement of the male andfemale terminals occurs inside the body portion 13c which is alwaysmaitained in a position longitudinally to one side of the end of thehollow pintle or sleeve portion 14s through the outer gripping means orintegral extensions 18g are in engagement with the inner peripheralsurface of the pintle or sleeve portion 14s including the end periphery1411. The male terminals 18m are fitted into male terminal chamberportions 18; and 18k adjacent to an end of the body portion 18c remotefrom the integral extensions or projecting pin portions 18g. Since theouter peripheral semi-annular surfaces of the gripping means orextensions 18g fit snugly relative to the inner peripheral surface ofthe hollow pintle or sleeve portion 14s, the abutting portion 18aprovides an annular seal relative to an end of the hollow pintle orsleeve portion Ms maintained in engagement relative to each other due towedging of the extensions or gripping means 18g into engagement with theinner peripheral surface of the pintle. To facilitate understanding ofthe structure of the hinge pin connector, no conductors such as 14 and1411 are illustrated in the views of FIGS. 3 and 4. Terminal means andconductors are shown in FIG. 5 but only shown in FIG. 6 locatedintermediate the guide means or integral extensions 18g of theinsulating body 18c. The female terminals are fitted into the hollowinterior or main chamber portions 18h and lfii separated by alongitudinally extending divider wall 18d that also separates the malechamber portions itij and 18k from each other. A transverse wall portion18w separates male and female chamber portions longitudinally from eachother. A suitable passage or opening extends through wall portion 18wfor interconnecting pairs of chamber portions adapted to receive maleand female terminals respectively.

For the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3,4, 5 and 6, itis to be understood that either grommet G or the grippingmeans 18g extending integrally from the body portion the are wedged intoengagement with an inner periphery of a hollow pintle such that male andfemale terminal means electrically connected relative to each other canbe assembled and disassembled relative to each other at a locationcompletely outside the hollow pintle relative to which the hinge-pinconnector including the body portions C or 18c are rigidly connected.The male and female terminals are always longitudinally spaced to oneside of the hollow pintle which is made of conducting material such asmetal extruded, cast, or drilled to have a central passage through whichthe conductors 16a and 161) can pass and relative to an inner peripheryof which the grommet G or integral gripping means liig are wedged. Thehollow pintle or sleeve portions MS can have substantially the sameouter diameter as the body portions C or 180 and these body portions aremade of insulating material providing adequate protection relative tothe male and female terminal junctures such that a short circuit betweenthe male and female terminals relative to the hollow pintle cannot occureven though the pintle is utilized and engaged for maintaininglongitudinal spacing of the insulating body relative to the pintle.Longitudinal spacing of the connector body portions C and We to one sideof the hollow pintle is particularly important for establishingconnections through hinges on appliances where there is danger of anelectrical short circuit due to application of 110 volts or 220 voltsthrough conductors such as 16a and lldb. Previously, UnderwritersLaboratories Would find fault because of the danger of electrical shortcircuits when male and female terminals such as 18m and 18] are notlongitudinally spaced but rather are concentrically located inside thehollow pintle or sleeve portion 14s per se. The insulating bodies C andlids are substantially larger in diameter than the inner periphery ofthe hollow pintle or sleeve portion and adequate in- 'sulation isprovided for the male and female terminals while the body portion of theconnector is installed adjacent to an end of the sleeve portion orhollow pintle rather than inside of it with predetermined longitudinalspacing thereof being maintained by wedging engagement of gripping meansor a grommet relative to an inner periphery of the hollow pintle orsleeve portion 14s.

The compactness of the connector device in accordance with the presentinvention permits two conductive connections between male and femaleterminals within an insulating body relative to hollow hinge-pins andprovides for preassembly of doors or covers with inside decorativepanels in place relative to the doors or panels. Furthermore, removal ofthe decorative panels provides access to separable male and femaleterminals so thata door can be disassembled from a cabinet wheneverthere is need for replacement of a sealing strip around the periphery ofthe door, for example. The male prong portions of the male terminals areconfined within the insulating body together with the female terminalsand therefore there is never any danger that the male terminals do notmake proper contact with the female terminals. The electrical connectionfor supplying power to devices such as a door seal warmer or buttercompartment or actuators for electric window lifts is completely hiddenfrom the outside, thus enhancing the appearance and utility of a covermember or door relative to its mounting. Positive engagement of abuttingportions such as 13a and A relative to an end of the hollow pintle orsleeve portions i ls assures that the connector housing means cannot bepulled downwardly or through the hollow interior of the pintle in onedirection but yet can be removed from the hollow pintle when necessaryto permit access to the male and female terminals and/or conductors 16aand 16b. The gripping means or projections integral with the connectorbody can be wedged into engagement with the hollow interior of thepintle in one direction and can be disassembled in an oppositedirection. These projections or pin portions integral with theinsulating body 13c have suflicient resilience for establishing wedgingengagement relative to the inner periphery of the hollow pintle topermit attachment and removal of the insulating housing connector bodyrelative to the pintle without ever having the connector body 18clocated radially inside the hollow pintle. It is apparent that a sealingagainst passage of dust and foreign material'is accomplished byengagement of the abutting portion 18a or abutment A relative to aperiphery of an end of the hollow pintle remote from the intermediatehinge portion or hinge portion relative to which the doors are pivotableand movable into open and closed positions. The hollow pintle or sleeveportion Ms, as well as projecting pin 14p remain fined and stationaryrelative to the cabinet and/ or respective fixed hinge portions suchthat the doors are pivotable and movable relative thereto about a commonaxis.

It is to be understood that the embodiment of FIGURE 2 difiers from thatof FIGURE 1 in that in conjunction with the central hinge there are twocylindrical bodies C each having a neck portion N in place of grippingmeans or extensions 18g best seen in FIG. 3 and swaged into engagementwith conductors and adapted to be adjacent to an abutment or shoulder Arather than one body or connector means 13. The bodies or connectormeans C of FIG. 2 are identical with each other and engagement of thetwo abutments A of the connector means assures limitation of movement inopposite directions that is, against upward movement as well as downwardmovement relative to sleeves S associated with the central hinge. It isfurther to be understood that the grommets G and (3-1 are providedrelative to both the top and bottom bodies C in conjunction with theconductors such that a substantially symmetrical arrangement existsrelative to the central hinge portion 14b including sleeves S.Fragmentary sections of diiferent portions of the view of 7. theembodiment of FIG. 2 are shown so as to facilitate understanding ofinternal and external components of structure in accordance with thepresent invention relative to the central hinge portion. FIG. 2a is anisometric view of connector body C shown in FIG. 2 and including theabutment A as well as the neck portion N.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed,constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms canbe adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. On an appliance cabinet means having upper and lower door memberspivotally attached thereto for movement in a common axis and forcompartment-like access thereto including an electrical device having atleast one insulated electrical conductor therefor and carried by one ofthe door members journaled by mating metal hinge portions such as asleeve attached to the door member and a projection from thecompartment-like cabinet means as well as a hollow pintle provided as anaxis juncture between the hinge portions to one of which said pintleremains in relatively fixed relation so as to provide an annularabutment along one end thereof, the improvement which comprises anelectrical connector unitary terminal housing means per se including alongitudinally coextensive body portion exclusively of insulatingmaterial having at least one passage substantially axially therethroughas defined by a pair of axially spaced chamber portions into which apair of mating electrical terminal means is adapted to be received forforming a separable juncture along each conductor at a location inproximity to said hinge portions, said unitary terminal housing meansper se further having a pair of longitudinal extensions of the samecoextensive insulating material projecting integrally as well aslongitudinally on one end of said body portion and spaced laterally fromeach other to wedge the insulated electrical conductor therebetween assaid longitudinally projecting extensions are in press-fit engagementwith an inner periphery of said hollow pintle such that the matingelectrical terminal means are separable yet completely within confinesor" said coextensive body portion in predetermined insulated and spacedrelation to said hollow pintle for exclusive support thereby aspositioned with said hinge portions.

2. On an appliance cabinet means having upper and lower door memberspivotally attached thereto for movement in a common axis and forcompartment-like access thereto including an electrical device having apair of electrical conductors therefor and carried by one of the doormembers journaled by mating metal hinge portions such as a sleeveattached to the door member and projection from the compartment-likecabinet means as well as a hollow pintle provided as an axis juncturebetween the hinge portions to one of which said pintle remains inrelatively fixed relation so as to provide an annular abutment along oneend thereof, the improvement which comprises an electrical connectorunitary terminal housing means per se including a longitudinallycoextensive body portion exclusively of insulating material having apair of passages substantially axially therethrough each as defined by apair of axially spaced chamber portions into which a pair of matingelectrical terminal means in each passage is adapted to be received forforming a separable juncture along each or said pair of conductors at alocation in proximity to said hinge portions though located positivelyto one side thereof due to engagement of one end of said body portionagainst the abutment, said unitary terminal housing means per se furtherhaving at least one longitudinal extension means thereof at reducedcross-sectional width for less than that of said body portion yet of thesame coextensive insulating material projecting integrally as well aslongitudinally on one end of said body portion and spaced laterallyinwardly therefrom to wedge the pair of insulated conductors therewithas said longitudinal extension means snugly engages in press-fit with aninner periphery of said hollow pintle such that each mating terminalmeans can be separated yet completely within confines of saidcoextensive body portion in predetermined insulated and spaced relationto said hollow pintle for exelusive support thereby as positioned withsaid hinge portions.

References Qited in. the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS889,786 Keiner lune 2, 1908 1,981,460 Miller Nov. 20, 1934 2,143,564Lybarger et al. Fan. 10, 1939 2,700,139 Jewell Ian. 18, 1955 2,725,462Vorgang Nov. 29, 1955 2,729,473 Warshewsky Jan. 3, 1956 2,778,000 MillsJan. 15, 1957 2,971,178 Reesby Feb. 7, 1961 2,971,180 Colwell Feb. 7,1961

1. ON AN APPLIANCE CABINET MEANS HAVING UPPER AND LOWER DOOR MEMBERSPIVOTALLY ATTACHED THERETO FOR MOVEMENT IN A COMMON AXIS AND FORCOMPARTMENT-LIKE ACCESS THERETO INCLUDING AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE HAVING ATLEAST ONE INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR THEREFOR AND CARRIED BY ONE OFTHE DOOR MEMBERS JOURNALED BY MATING METAL HINGE PORTIONS SUCH AS ASLEEVE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR MEMBER AND A PROJECTION FROM THECOMPARTMENT-LIKE CABINET MEANS AS WELL AS A HOLLOW PINTLE PROVIDED AS ANAXIS JUNCTURE BETWEEN THE HINGE PORTIONS TO ONE OF WHICH SAID PINTLEREMAINS IN RELATIVELY FIXED RELATION SO AS TO PROVIDE AN ANNULARABUTMENT ALONG ONE END THEREOF, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES ANELECTRICAL CONNECTOR UNITARY TERMINAL HOUSING MEANS PER SE INCLUDING ALONGITUDINALLY COEXTENSIVE BODY PORTION EXCLUSIVELY OF INSULATINGMATERIAL HAVING AT LEAST ONE PASSAGE SUBSTANTIALLY AXIALLY THERETHROUGHAS DEFINED BY A PAIR OF AXIALLY SPACED CHAMBER PORTIONS INTO WHICH APAIR OF MATING ELECTRICAL TERMINAL MEANS IS ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED FORFORMING A SEPARABLE JUNCTURE ALONG EACH CONDUCTOR AT A LOCATION INPROXIMITY TO SAID HINGE PORTIONS, SAID UNITARY TERMINAL HOUSING MEANSPER SE FURTHER HAVING A PAIR OF